Meet the Creative: Rosie (Lunar Sea)

The Meet the Creative interviews are back and bringing you inside the world of some of my favourite creatives. This time I'm delighted to introduce you to super talented artist, style icon and fandom connoisseur, Rosie!

Tell us a little bit about your business and how it came to be!

I’ve always loved drawing and painting. Art was my favourite subject at school and I spent hours hiding in the art block. But I went to a grammar school and the idea of doing art at uni wasn't exactly encouraged. I eventually stopped creating until fairly recently. I was always a bit sceptical about the idea of digital art; I loved sketching and oil painting. But after learning more about it, I decided to give it a try. My boyfriend bought me a tablet for my birthday last year, and it blossomed from there. I started an Instagram account and shared my work. A few months later, I opened my Etsy shop and made my first sale!

What are the inspirations behind your work?

-        Pop culture/ current events

-        90s whimsigoth & nostalgia

-        Cinema (especially horror, or anything centred on the female experience)

-        Goth/ alt subculture

-        Music - anything from 60s psychedelic to heavy metal

-        My own lived experiences

How would you describe your style and your work?

My style evolves and changes all the time! I tend to swing from realism in my commissions and portraits to more graphic, bold styles.

What was your first Lunar Sea project and how have you progressed to the products you make and sell now?

The first piece I sold was a whimsigoth drawing of a cat sleeping on a moon. It didn’t take long to draw, and my style has evolved since then but it’s still a popular seller.

Since then, I’ve progressed to selling lots more prints, as well as stickers, tote bags and t-shirts.

What have been the greatest challenges of Lunar Sea so far?

Imposter syndrome is a big one for me! I love following talented creators online, but it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison. Also, figuring out what to invest my money into. Sometimes products don’t do as well as you expect and that’s always hard, especially if you’ve put a lot of money into them.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Getting into that flow state where you’re just creating and your mind goes quiet, and next thing you know, five hours have passed.

What’s the best thing about running your own business?

Seeing other people resonate with it. You never know what’s going to strike a chord with people. This is especially fun at in-person events.

Also, seeing my work turn into products, especially stickers and t-shirts. It’s surreal.

Sum up your brand in 3 words…

(For the) goths, gays & theys

That’s cheating a little bit, but hopefully it still counts!

When are you at your most productive?

Usually late at night. I work full time so I try to grab time whenever I can to draw, but I tend to get into my flow state later in the evening/ nighttime.

Could you let us take a peek at your workspace?

I have a small office which I use for my 9-5 and I sometimes draw there. I’ve covered the walls with art from some of my favourite small businesses. Usually though, I’m on the sofa!

What have you learned that’s been invaluable to your creative process?

I’m still learning to take my time and not feel pressured to constantly churn out new art. My more detailed pieces (portraits etc) can take weeks and that’s okay.

Do you have a best seller or favourite to make?

Stickers are my best sellers. Anything cute and pink with an ironic message tends to do well.

What do you listen to/ watch when you’re working?

I have a pretty eclectic music taste and will listen to anything from Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter to Type O Negative, Deftones and Slipknot. It can depend on the mood of the piece.

If I’m drawing in front of the TV, it’s usually Gilmore Girls or Buffy.

Do you have a motto or favourite quote for inspiration?

All of ‘Vienna’ by Billy Joel but particularly these lines:

‘Don't you know that only fools are satisfied?

Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true’

What tip or truth would you tell yourself at the beginning of this journey if you could go back and give them a heads up?

Not everything will go to plan, but that doesn’t mean you’re a failure.

What is it about Lunar Sea that you are most proud of?

That I finally took the leap! I dreamt of doing this for years and now that I’ve started, I wish I hadn’t waited so long. I’m so glad that I am back to creating on a regular basis. I feel like I am being the most authentic version of myself and I love connecting with people through my art.

What are your plans or ambitions for the future?

The ultimate dream would be to do this full time, but for now, I’ll settle for doing more in person events and continuing to meet more likeminded creative people.

What are you looking forward to next?

The markets I have lined up for 2025:

Not A Phase (3rd August)

Whimsygoth Spooktember (27th September)

Castle Crafts Halloween Market (25th October)

How can we find out more about you?

Follow me on Instagram: @Lunar.Sea.Art or @r2themarks if you’re interested in seeing what I get up to outside of my art.

If you’re a cinephile, find me on letterboxd @r2themarks so we can chat movies!

Or come see me at one of the markets above.

You can also check out Rosie's stunning artwork here on Etsy.